Superstar (Madonna song)
"Superstar" | |
---|---|
MSR Studios, New York City | |
Genre | Dance-pop |
Length | 3:55 |
Label | Interscope |
Songwriter(s) |
|
Producer(s) |
|
MDNA track listing | |
16 tracks
|
"Superstar" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her twelfth studio album MDNA (2012). It was released on December 3, 2012, in Brazil only as a special edition free CD with Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo. The song was written and produced by Madonna, Hardy "Indigo" Muanza and Michael Malih and is a dance-pop track, which has electronic and pop influences. Instrumentation featured in "Superstar" includes guitars and drum machines. Lyrically, Madonna compares her boyfriend with famous men, such as John Travolta, Abraham Lincoln, Al Capone, among others and claims to be his "biggest fan".
The accompanying artwork for the single was created by Brazilian graffiti artist Simone Sapienza, who won a contest sponsored by Johnnie Walker's Keep Walking Project in Brazil. She was chosen by Madonna from ten finalists of the contest. "Superstar" received mixed to positive reviews from music critics, most of whom felt it would be a potential single and praised the production, while others dismissed the lyrical content. A music video for the track was to be shot, however it was controversial since Madonna wanted to dress as a "Terror Bride", a combination of an Iraqi bridal veil and a US soldier's uniform. Subsequently, the video was never released. "Superstar" was used in a television campaign for US TV channel Bravo, supporting its "Summer by Bravo" promotion including stars from its original programming.
Background and composition
"Superstar" was written and produced by Madonna, Hardy "Indigo" Muanza and Michael Malih and was recorded at
Musically, "Superstar" is an uptempo
Artwork and release
The accompanying artwork for "Superstar" was created by Brazilian graffiti artist Simone Sapienza, known as Siss. It was directed by Binho Ribeiro and Giovanni Bianco.[9] On the cover Madonna wears a shorts with a whip, while a phrase reads; "The shorts says: 'let's have dinner!'. The whip says, 'but you must pay for'". A contest sponsored by Keep Walking Brazil project selected 30 proposed covers, and Sapienza was chosen by Madonna after being among the ten finalists.[9] The creator said she did not know she was participating in a cover contest and explained, "My work is connected to the status of women. I like strong women, who work hard for what they think is right."[10]
"Superstar" was released as a promotional single in Brazil on December 3, 2012. Readers of Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo received a free copy of the single together with their newspaper. The single features the original album version along with a remixed version by DJ Eddie Amador.[11] The song was also used in a television campaign for US TV channel Bravo, supporting its "Summer by Bravo" promotion including stars from its original programming.[12]
Critical reception
"Superstar" received generally mixed to favorable reviews from music critics. Becky Bain from
The lyrical reference points in ['Superstar'] are all quite interesting—if you consider the youth-obsessed reference collaborators of the first two singles and how uncomfortable it all feels. 'Superstar' offers a glimpse of something far more comfortable in its own skin. All the reference points will mean very little to your average 17-year-old. We suppose the idea is that they're icons whose imagery transcends generations blah blah blah but after all the aggressive positioning of the first two singles it's great to hear Madonna relaxing into this sort of song. The lyrics about being in love are a bit soppy but love makes you go a bit soppy sometimes.[6]
Michael Roffman from
Music video
Although no music video was officially confirmed or produced, media outlets reported that a music video for "Superstar" was to be shot in October 2012. Madonna wanted to dress as a "Terror Bride", which is a combination of an Iraqi bridal veil and a US soldier's uniform. The dress was to be portrayed as a statement for oppression against women and warfare. However, the singer's advisers talked her out of wearing the costume because they thought it would "put her life at risk". Sources then stated "[Madonna] had the outfit ready to go. She was really proud of it and said it was her 'Terror Bride' costume [...] At first, when people started telling her it was madness, she just brushed it off, but when they mentioned that her actions could put her life at risk, she decided to ditch it from her video and certainly won't be wearing it on stage." Madonna said she was "really disappointed" about not wearing the outfit, but had put aside the idea for a future use.[26]
Track listing
- Keep Walking Brazil Special Edition CD single[11]
- "Superstar" – 3:55
- "Superstar" (Eddie Amador Remix) – 6:18
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the MDNA album liner notes.[1]
- Madonna – vocals, songwriter, producer
- Hardy "Indigo" Muanza – songwriter, producer
- Michael Malih – songwriter, producer
- Demacio 'Demo' Castellon – audio mixing for The Demolition Crew
- Angie Teo – MSR Studios, New York City
- Stephen 'The Koz' Kozmeniuk – music editingfor The Demolition Crew
- Lourdes "Lola" Leon – background vocals
Charts
After the release of MDNA, "Superstar" debuted at number 150 on the
Chart (2012) | Peak position |
---|---|
South Korea International Downloads ( GAON)[27]
|
150 |
Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Brazil[11] | December 3, 2012 | Free CD single with Folha de S.Paulo |
Interscope |
References
- ^ a b c "Superstar" song credits". MDNA (Liner Notes). Madonna. New York City, New York: Interscope Records. 2012. p. 2. 0602527997360.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Copsey, Robert (March 7, 2012). "Madonna's new album 'MDNA': First listen". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on January 12, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
- ^ Sirpe, Gina (March 13, 2012). "Madonna's 'Superstar' Single Leaks—Can You Hear Lourdes Singing Background". E!. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
- ^ a b Partridge, Kenneth (March 13, 2012). "Madonna, 'Superstar': 'MDNA' Track Hits YouTube, Name-Checks Honest Abe". AOL. Archived from the original on March 27, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (September 14, 2009). "Madonna, 'MDNA': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 18, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ a b O'Mance, Brad (March 7, 2012). "Madonna's MDNA: Track By Track". Popjustice. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ a b McCormick, Neil (March 7, 2012). "Madonna's new album MDNA: track-by-track review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ Stern, Bradley (March 26, 2012). "Madonna – 'MDNA' (Album Review)". MuuMuse. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ a b "Single 'Superstar', de Madonna, ganha versão remix e sai com capa feita por brasileira". Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). December 1, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
- ^ Martí, Silas (December 1, 2012). "Siss vence concurso de grafite e ilustra capa de novo single da Madonna". Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Leitores da Folha recebem "Superstar", o novo single de Madonna". Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). December 3, 2012. Archived from the original on December 17, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
- ^ "Bravo Media Launches Third Annual 'Summer by Bravo' Brand Campaign Starring Over 30 Bravolebrities". The Futon Critic (Press release). May 23, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- Idolator. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ Gill, Andy (March 8, 2012). "First Listen: Madonna, MDNA, Interscope". The Independent. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ Stern, Bradley (March 13, 2012). "Listen to a Snippet of Madonna's New 'MDNA' Album Track: 'Superstar'". MuuMuse. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (March 22, 2012). "Madonna: MDNA – review". The Guardian. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ Elan, Priya (March 23, 2012). "Madonna – 'MDNA'". NME. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ Copsey, Robert (March 7, 2012). "Madonna's new album 'MDNA': First listen". Digital Spy. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- Consequence of Sound. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ Cinquemani, Sal (March 25, 2012). "Madonna: MDNA". Slant Magazine. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ "Superstar – Madonna: MDNA track by track review". Virgin Media. March 26, 2012. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ Chiola, Enio (March 27, 2012). "Madonna: MDNA". PopMatters. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ Perpetua, Matthew (March 26, 2012). "Madonna: MDNA". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ Baggs, Michael (March 27, 2012). "The Most Embarrassing Lyrics Of Madonna's 'MDNA' Album". Gigwise. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ Billboard Staff (August 15, 2018). "The 100 Greatest Madonna Songs: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
- ^ "Madonna won't wear 'terror' bridal dress for fear of safety". Daily News and Analysis. October 8, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
- ^ Gaon Music Chart. April 5, 2012. Archived from the originalon December 12, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
External links
- "Superstar" on YouTube